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Molly Ivins, 1944-2007

"So keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin' ass and celebratin' the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was."

Please help

I received the following email from a reader last week. This reader lives in Canada:

JL

Why do so damn many U.S. forms have places to select different countries, provinces, etc., and then don't accept the form because they say the postal code isn't valid? They set it up for U.S. codes (idiots) or, maybe, on purpose but I sure get sick of it.

Thanks!

Vic

I understand Vic's frustration! But, I don't think this is done purposely. I think it's probably that the form software being used on these sites is at fault.

So, if you have an online business, I would strongly suggest you check your online forms for taking mailing addresses. Be sure they are NOT so proprietary they'll only take U.S. zip codes.

You may have heard of this web site the last time gas prices
started to skyrocket. It's the place to go to find the least
expensive gas prices in your area. (Unless, of course, you live
in a po-dunk place like Pineville, LA., in which case they have
no information.)

Now, GasBuddy has added mobile apps so you can get your prices
much easier and even while on the road.

This came from long-time reader, Sandra Price. Another good
thing to know.

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There is something that I wanted to relate that some people
may not know and I didn't either until it happened to me.
Lightning can come in thru your cable, like Comcast (or any
other cable company).

This past summer, I was online when a sudden storm popped up, my
modem popped and you guessed it, I was hit. I had surge
protectors on, but I had no idea that lightning could come in
thru the cable. I lost two TVs, my desktop pc, modem, router
and a couple of DVD recorders.

Let me just warn you that it happens! After pulling my hair out
and kicking my own butt for several days, I researched and found
that a mere surge protector doesn't offer much protection.

I paid $47 each for special protectors. I placed them on
everything that had a cable connection. You have to screw cable
into this and then to the PC, TV, etc. It provides insurance if
it fails to protect your property at no extra cost. Got them at
Wal-Mart.------------

I looked at Wal-Mart online but there were so many gadgets, I
wasn't sure which did what. I would recommend visiting your
local Wal-Mart (or other electronics store) to look in person and
get some help.

Remember - the surge came through the CABLE - not the electrical
system.

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